Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12897, Jonathan Farris, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Farris, Jonathan or Ferris
S 12897
carded
CONTENTS

Date of death not on AB
14854 New York
Jonathan Farn
Saratoga in the State of N. York who was a Private in the Corp commanded by Captain Townsend of the Reg. commanded by Col. Livingston in the N. York line for 7 Months or Farris
recd Feb. 27. 08
Inscribed in the Roll of N. York at the rate of 20 Dollars 83 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of July 1831 and to M c L. Wheeler Providence
Arrears to the 4th of Ma. '33 $46.66 Sem-ant. allowance ending Sept. 30 11.66 $58.32
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. July Cler Page 56.
Recorded by Book E, Vol. 3.

State of New York County of Saratoga
On this sixth day of September 1832 personally appeared
The court of common pleas and general sessions now sitting. Jonathan Lewis a resident of Providence in the county of Saratoga and State of New York aged seventy eight years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he was born in a place (then called) Greenwich in the State of Connecticut in the year 1754 that he has no record of his age that when he entered the service and during the revolutionary war he resided in Bedford County of Westchester and State of New York that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated that he enlisted for four months in a company (called rangers) commanded by Michael Townsend that he served out the same in this service he was within cannon shot of the battle of White Plains was generally employed in apprehending and confining disaffected persons & that in the summer of 1777 he again enlisted for two and a half months in a company commanded by Sackett in Col. Lindington's regiment and that he served the same in the said County of Westchester that he was in short terms of service and alarms in 1778-1779 & 1780 two months under Captain Moses St. John of the militia - these services were performed in and near the said County of Westchester that since the revolution he has resided in Providence County of Saratoga where he now resides that he never owed any discharge from the service

that he is known in the neighborhood where he resides by Jonathan Shipman a deacon in the Baptist Church and Jesse Briggs a justice of the peace Elmer Fink a clergyman and Calvin Wheeler. that he has no documentary evidence
that he hereby disclaims every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State and that he knows of no person living that has a personal knowledge of his services Jonathan H. S. Ferris Clerk
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court Thomas B. Oliver Clerk
We Jonathan Shipman residing in the town of Pompton and Jesse Briggs residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Fink who has subscribed to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed the day of September 1838.
by Calvin Wheeler for the peace
Jonathan Shipman Jesse Briggs J. F. Fink

Ms. A. 9. 2. 7008.
Jonathan Farris =
R 58.
ad
45. 14. 16
24 Sep 1832 14 Nov 1832
C Wheeler leg.

N o 7908
BRIEF in the case of Jonathan Harris of Providence County of Saratoga - in the State of New York (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
In open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he?
78 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1776 Summer 4 Private Gen. Capt. Michael Townsend   1777 Summer 2 1/2 or three " Col: Ludington   1778, 1779 & 1780 2 " Capt: Wales St. John  
5. In what battles was he engaged?
none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
in Bedford New York
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
living Witnesses & traditional evidence
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
They appear correct - (except certificate of rank to traditional evidence)
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
James B. D.
Examining Clerk.

January 8, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. Charles H. Lovett 225 Sheridan Road Winnetka, Illinois
BA-J/EL Jonathan Farris-S.12897
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of your grandfathers, David Peck and Jonathan Farris, both of Westchester County, New York.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based upon military service of soldiers of that war.
A careful search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and no record found of such claims having been made on account of the services of a David Peck, who served from New York. The history of Jonathan Farris (the name also appears as Ferris) is furnished you herein as obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.12897, based upon his military service in that war.
Jonathan Farris was born in 1754, in Greenwich, Connecticut.
While residing in Bedford, Westchester County, New York, he enlisted and served as a private with the New York Troops as follows: from June or July, 1776, four months in Captain Michael Townsend's Company of Rangers; from sometime in the summer of 1777, three months in Captain Richard Sackett's Company, Colonel Ludenton's Regiment; and during 1778, 1779 and 1780, served at various times on short tours under Captain Moses Saint John; length of this service at least two months.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 6, 1832, while a resident of Providence, Saratoga County, New York.
There are no data as to soldier's family.
found vol. in NY inter pages 150 & 208 found all officers
Providence - a township of Saratoga Co - on old map.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Jonathan Farris(S.12897), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, citing the following data:
Jonathan Farris, Certificate No. 14954, issued July 26, 1833, rate $23.33 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New York Agency.
Very truly yours
A.D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

Try. Wid. 72.52. John A. Ferris - " Wid. 17896 John Ferris " Ins. 8463 John Ferris " Ins. 12897 Jonathan Ferris..
7-8
Chief Division

Feb. 15, 1905 History Co Mr. Morris P. Ferris, N.Y. City.
1908 Feb. 27. Hist. to Jonathan J. Seymour Lurry, 1308 Judson Ave. Evanston Ills. This letter in Wd 20188. John Jones au 1934 - Jan 8 - Hist. to Mr. Chas. H. Lovett - Det. 1934 May 7 - Chas H. Lovett. adv. only Jonathan Ferris etc etc
Perham
12.897 INVALID.
File No. 12.897
Jonathan Ferris or Ferris Brn. Rev. War.
aw Feb. 27. 08
Act: same 7" 1832
Index: — Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

J. 12, 897 Jonathan Ferriss Ferris
b. Greenwich, Conn. 1754
res at mil. Bedford, White Plains Sept. 6, 1832 res. Providence, Lancaster Co. N.Y. 78
June or July 76
Michael Townsend
4 m
Sum 77
Darkett
Col. Frederick
78 - 79 - 80
Capt Moses H. John
2 m

Charles H. Lovett, 225 Sheridan Road Winnetka, Cook Co. Ill.
Thursday December 21, 1933.
Director of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Lovett-Beck-Fenis Genealogies.
Gentlemen;
I am referred to you by Adjutant General's Office in Washington for copies of such records as you may have in your office con- cerning the Pensions, if any granted to my grandfathers. David Beck , and Jonathan Fenis both of whom served as soldiers during the American Revolution

in Westchester Co. N.Y.
2. I am told that Jonathan Ferris was a Sergeant in Col. Joseph Benedict's Regiment, Capt. Osborne's Company, Westchester County Militia New York.
3. I shall very greatly appreciate it if you will be good enough to send me one  original and two carbon copies of whichever records you have in your office con- cerning these two Revolutionary Soldiers.
4. Thanking you in advance, I am, Very sincerely yours, Charles H. Loret

Charles H. Lovett, 225 Sheridan Road, Winnetka, Illinois.
Thursday. April 19, 1934.
Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C.
Lovett - Ferris Genealogy.
Gentlemen:
1. only Jonathan
Among my ancestors on my mother's side of the family, was a certain "Jonathan Ferris " who, during the War of the American Revolution, was residing in Westchester County, New York.
2.
From such information as I have been able to obtain, there

were two or more Jonathon Ferrises who were soldiers during the War of the Revolution.
3.
Under date of April 16, 1934, a distant relative of mine, a Mr. John Ferris Mann, who is the Secretary of and who is a member of the New Jersey Society of the "Order of the Founders and Patriots of America" wrote me that he had obtained his membership in that organization through his ancestor, and mine,
"Jonathon Ferris, born, Eastchester, N. Y., Feb. 15, 1732, died at Peekskill, Westchester Co. N. Y., Aug. 8, 1798, and who served as a Sergeant in Col. Joseph Benedict's Regt. of Westchester County Militia."

4.
Will you kindly give me the War Service Record of this Jonathan Ferris, together with whatever other information you may have about him, or his family, and oblige.
5.
If you can send me one original and one carbon copy of these papers, I shall greatly appreciate it.
6.
Thanking you in advance, I am,
Very sincerely and respectfully yours, Charles H. Lovett

From the papers in the claim Sur. File No. 12,897, it appears that Jonathan Farris, who signed by mark and whose name is also spelled Ferris, was born in Greenwich Connecticut in 1754 and while residing in Bedford, West Chester County New York, enlisted in June or July 1776 and served four months in Captain Michael Townsend's company of Rangers; he enlisted again in the summer of 1777, and served 3 months in Captain Sackett's company, Colonel Ludenton's regiment; and during 1778, 1779, and 1780 he served 2 months in Captain Moses St. John's company of militia.
He was allowed pension on an application executed September 6, 1832 while a resident of Providence, Saratoga County New York. There is no data on file in regard to family, nor is date of death stated.
For date of last payment of pension and probable date of death you should apply to the Auditor for the Interior Department, Treasury Department, citing the following data, Jonathan Farris, Ctf. No. 14,954, issued July 26, 1833, Act June 7, 1832, Agency New York.
The Revolutionary War pension records fail to afford any information in regard to Stephen Currey or Curry. see neg
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
This is last half of letter to J. Seymour Curry. Evanston Ills. after his wife's death John Jones wrote his letter

May 7, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Jonathan Farris-S.12897
BA-J/AWF am
Mr. Charles H. Lovett 225 Sheridan Road Winnetka, Illinois
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Jonathan Ferris, who was born February 15, 1732 in Eastchester, New York and died August 8, 1798 at Peekskill, New York.
You were furnished, January 8, 1934, the record of the only soldier of that name, found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office. The data furnished you, were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 12897, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Jonathan Farris or Ferris; the surname was searched under similar spellings. The record of a soldier of the War of the Revolution can not be furnished by this office, unless a claim for pension or bounty land has been made to the United States, on account of his services in that war.
It is suggested as a possible means of securing data in regard to the military record of the Jonathan Ferris in whom you are interested, that you apply to The Adjutant General, War Department, Washington, D.C.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY.
146 BROADWAY, (Room 409.)
New York, Feb. 3, 1905.
Pension Bureau, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Have you any record of the services of Jonathan Ferris of Peekskill, Westchester County, New York, in the War of the Revolution?
Yours very truly,
Morris Ferris

State of New York } personally appeared before me Town of Providence } Jesse Briggs one of the justices of the peace County of Saratoga } in and for the county aforesaid Jonathan Forris who being by me duly sworn deposes and saith that he is the same identical Jonathan Forris who made the declaration for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7 th 1832 and hereunto annexed and to which this is an addition
That in the first term of service mentioned in the said declaration this deponent did enlist in June or July 1776 in company commanded by Michael Townsend for four months that he served out the same in the County of Westchester State of New York - That in his second term of service he enlisted for three months in summer of 1777 and served out the same - That in his other services in 1778 - 1779 - 1780 he served at least two months in the militia company commanded by Moses St. John
Sworn and subscribed before me this 18 th day of April 1833 Jesse Briggs Justice
Jonathan Forris New York
State of New York Saratoga County } I Stephen Goodrich Clerk of the Court of Saratoga do certify that Jesse Briggs before whom the foregoing Affidavit purports to have been sworn to at the date of the same one of the Justices of the peace in for the said County, and that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his name sub- scribed to the said Affidavit to be his proper hand writ- ing & signature -
Witness my hand and seal of Office the 23 rd day of April 1833
Stephen Goodrich Clerk

7918 Jonathan Farris
Undefined service in 7879 & 80 disallowed
Adm Ymo. pri. $23.33

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Jonathan Shipman who has signed the preceding certificate is a deacon of a Baptist church resident in Providence and that Jesse Briggs who has also signed the same is a resident in the said town of Providence and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
I Thomas Palmer Clerk of the court of common pleas and General sessions do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Jonathan Harris for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this sixth day of September 1832 — THOMAS PALMER Clerk

It is certified by the Court of Common Pleas aforesaid that Jonathan Finch who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman both a resident of Milton and now a resident of Edinburgh both towns being in the County of Saratoga and the latter town adjoining the said Town of Providence and that Calvin Wheeler who has also signed the same is a resident in the said Town of Providence and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Alpheus Goodrich Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas & General Sessions of the peace in & for the County of Saratoga do certify that the above Certificate is the original proceeding in this cause, in the matter of the application of Jonathan Ferris for a pension. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this Eleventh day of April 1833— A Goodrich Clerk

Sta                      Ser Books } p Country of Saratoga }
In open court Alnathan Finsch being duly sworn saith that he this deponent was personally acquainted with Jonathan Farris who signed the above Declaration that he knows he enlisted in Capt. Michiel Tawreands company of (Strangers) for four months in the summer of 1776 that he heard the captain say that he served out his term. This deponent further states that the said Jonathan Farris did enlist again in summer of 1777 in company commanded by Richard Sackett for three months that this deponent served in the same company and that he served out the said term of service. This company was commanded by Col. Lindintore and stationed near White Plains under the general command of Gen. Putnam. This deponent further states that the said Jonathan Farris was frequently out in militia under Capt. St John in the year 1778. 79 & 80 should say three months or more and further saith not Alnathan Finsch
Sworn in Open Court the sixth day of September 1832 - Richard Palmer Clerk

We Jonathan Fines a clergyman residing in the town of Milton County of Saratoga and Calvin Wheeler of Providence and County of Providence hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Fines who has subscribed to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Jonathan Fines
Sworn & subscribed
Calvin Wheeler
The day and year aforesaid in Open Court
Thomas P. W. Clerk

C o . 7908
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jonathan Ferris. which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
No (not distinctly.)
V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?
C o .
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
yes.
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
yes.
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
yes (except certificate to affidavit of clergyman &c.)
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
yes -

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
yes -
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
_____
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
_____
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? eto
And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
yes  eto
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
yes -
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

2nd Brief N o 7908
Jonathan Farris
C Wheeler
agh